As an outfielder, he’s played all three positions. While he doesn’t exactly play any one of those positions with distinction, the defense doesn’t notably suffer when he’s in the field. He passes the: “Oh My God, That’s Mitch Maier In The Outfield!” test because you’ve never actually spoken those words with an inflection of disgust. Let’s call him solid.

Of course, my favorite Maier moment of the last three years came on July 26 when he pitched a scoreless eighth inning against the Red Sox in Fenway. His fastball and his change averaged 75 mph. Yet he insists he threw both. I’ve shown this chart before, but I really like it, so I’m bringing it back for an encore… Here’s Maier’s velocity from his appearance:

That’s Our Mitch… Doing anything to help the team.

As a hitter, Maier isn’t going to set the American League on fire. I’m not even sure he’s ever had what you would consider to be a hot streak. Instead, you have a guy who gets on base at a clip that’s better than league average and doesn’t make many boneheaded mistakes on the bases. He owns a career .332 OBP. League average during his time in the big leagues is .329. He doesn’t have any power, but if he had pop, he wouldn’t be a backup.

He is what he is. And basically every team needs a player like Maier. Managers must take comfort knowing they have short-term cover should one of their three outfielders go down for any reason. He’s our safety blanket.

Why am I OK with Our Mitch and not with Getzie? Both are backup players who should – if the season goes according to plan – spend most of the summer on the bench. They both make just under a cool million. So why one and not both? Simple. Maier plays league average in nearly all aspects of the game provided he has limited playing time. He’s versatile. He won’t kill you with the bat. He’s not the prototypical grinder, full of grit and heart, like Getz. He just fills the utility role and fills it well. I wish we had someone on the infield who was like Mitch Maier.

Thanks to three outfielders you couldn’t remove from the lineup with a crowbar and Ned Yost’s allergy to pinch hitters, Our Mitch appeared in only 44 games – his lowest total since 2011 2008. With Alex Gordon and Jeff Francoeur returning to the corners, Maier’s hope for playing time hinges on the performance of Lorenzo Cain. Cain is the wild card in the outfield deck. If he struggles early in the season, Maier will likely see an increase in playing time. If Cain gets off to a hot start and can perform to expectations in his rookie season, Our Mitch will again be picking splinters out of his backside for most of the summer.

With David Lough waiting in the wings as the fourth outfielder of the future and with Jarrod Dyson outrunning cheetahs, road runners and other assorted speedy wildlife, Our Mitch doesn’t have much of a future in Kansas City. Fourth outfielders are a unique species. Enjoy him while you can.

Share this:

Like this:

Comments

For all of the reason you mentioned – just a solid guy to have on the club. However, as you mentioned, enjoy him while you can – this probably is his last year with the Royals – if he is even kept this year. Is there anyway to find out what the Royal’s record was the past few years with Mitch starting versus not playing?

If I were Mitch, I would have spent the last two off-seasons learning to play a decent 3B and 1B in winter ball (maybe some catching as well). That would have made him bullet proof for a spot this year. Not having done that, as a GM, I would have checked into bringing Teahan back – pairing Teahan with Dyson on the bench would give you more wins with late inning versatility.

Written by Jeff E. about 3 years ago.

Royals record with Super Mitch as a starter.

2011
8-12 .400 Royals Team .438

2010
42-61 .408 Royals Team .414

Written by Chaim Mattis Keller about 3 years ago.

“Our Mitch appeared in only 44 games – his lowest total since 2011.”

I know this must be a typo, but I’m not sure what you had meant to say.

Jeff – Not sure I get your point… Is it that Mitch isn’t good enough to be a starter? Or is it that the Royals played worse baseball with him in the starting lineup last year? Or is it about the fact he started just 20 games last year?

Written by Sean about 3 years ago.

Mitch has been a great soldier. He’s the guy on the bench you don’t mind pinch hitting, you trust base running, and can definitely hold it down in the OF. Getz works the count because he will hold the bat on his shoulder with 2 fastballs down the middle, Mitch pulls the trigger and can at least get you a double now and then.

Written by Chris N. about 3 years ago.

DanL – Great Teahan comment. You make a solid point, but I do remember him striking out A LOT, which is just frustrating to watch.

I love Mitch, as well. Seems like a great guy, who’s willing to do anything. No ego, and no bad blood with anyone. Very versatile with good speed an occasional pop. If only he could play 3B…maybe Jeff George is available?

Written by Tim about 3 years ago.

I don’t understand why everyone is so worried about backup for 3B…..If there is ever a problem we have a guy named Alex Gordon that has a few years of experience that plays an average 3B.